READING COMPREHENSION
WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S The Great Hot Drinks Debate
A. Discuss the questions below with a partner.
1. W
hat drink do you rely on to help wake you up in the morning? Do you think it's good or bad
for your health?
B. Read the text about tea and coffee.
How many of us can imagine starting our day without the comforting boost of a hot drink to
wake us up? Not many, I'm sure. And when it comes to our beverage of choice, most of us are
either loyal members of Team Coffee or Team Tea. In fact, it's not often that one comes across
someone who admits to supporting both teams. So, are these drinks helping or harming our
health and performance? And is one better for us than the other?
Most of the debate surrounding coffee and tea is down to caffeine content. This stimulant, which
many of us rely on to stay focused and alert, is also known to trigger headaches. Though it is
generally assumed that coffee has much more of it than tea, it may surprise you to learn that
tea leaves have a higher caffeine content than coffee beans. However, coffee is a brewed drink
whilst tea is just an infusion and is therefore weaker.
So which one is better at keeping us alert and ready for action? It's a tough call. Though we
can rely on coffee for a quick energy lift, these boosts are short-lived and can be accompanied
by anxiety and shaking, followed by a dip in blood sugar levels. Tea, on the other hand,
contains amino acids, which help to increase alertness but deliver energy more efficiently to our
bloodstream, providing us with a smoother, calmer boost than coffee gives us.
So are coffee and tea beneficial to our health? Absolutely! Though coffee is not recommended
to those prone to anxiety and other disorders of the nervous system, it has a lot of benefits
too. As well as increasing our adrenalin levels and improving our physical performance, regular
coffee consumption can help to prevent type 2 diabetes and various other diseases. It also
contains essential B vitamins which help our bodies to fight off illnesses by keeping our immune
systems in good working order.
Tea, however, has a range of benefits of its very own, especially green tea, which is known to
speed up the metabolism and help us get rid of unwanted weight. It is also believed to protect
us from heart disease and promote brain and memory function. Tea's greatest benefit, however,
lies in its high antioxidant content. By helping our bodies to eliminate free radicals, these
potent molecules are believed to prevent and even kill cancer cells.
The verdict? Go ahead and put the kettle on. As with everything else we
enjoy, when it comes to tea and coffee consumption, moderation is key.
Whilst too much caffeine in any form is not going to do you any good,
depriving yourself of life's little pleasures can be just as harmful.
C. Are the following statements about the text true or false? Circle the correct answer.
1. It is common to find people who enjoy both coffee and tea. true false
2. The energy lift from coffee doesn't last long. true false
3. The caffeine boost from tea can have negative side effects. true false
4. Coffee beans contain more caffeine than tea leaves. true false
5. The antioxidants in tea may help to get rid of cancer cells. true false
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READING COMPREHENSION
WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S The Great Hot Drinks Debate
D. Match the words in bold in the article to the synonyms.
1. cause .............................. 7. a hard decision ..............................
2. problems .............................. 8. a drop ..............................
3. raise .............................. 9. get rid off ..............................
4. sensitive to .............................. 10. fermented, mixed ..............................
5. trembling .............................. 11. powerful ..............................
6. attentive .............................. 12. finds ..............................
E. Complete the sentences about the text by writing either 'coffee' or 'tea'.
1. The caffeine boost from .......................... lasts longer.
2. .......................... can cause involuntary movement.
3. .......................... is not as strong because of the way it is prepared.
4. .......................... is not recommended for anxious people.
5. .......................... can prevent you from getting sick.
6. .......................... can help you lose weight.
7. .......................... contains important nutrients.
8. .......................... can help to improve your memory.
F. Answer the reading comprehension questions about the article in your own words.
1. What negative side effects can coffee have?
..................................................................................................................................
2. Why is coffee stronger than tea?
..................................................................................................................................
3. Why does tea give us a calmer and smoother alertness?
..................................................................................................................................
4. Who is coffee not recommended for?
..................................................................................................................................
5. How can the antioxidants in tea prevent and kill cancer cells?
..................................................................................................................................
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